The Great Dasher Milburn

[AM]

Funny you say that, we played both of them in Round 20 against the Dogs, and enjoyed our best win of the season. Not entirely coincidentally (in terms of our speed that night), Lonergan didn't play.

In fairness, the Bullies were suffering a bad dose of kennel cough, not to mention having quite a few injury issues.

 

[Partridge]

In fairness, the Bullies were suffering a bad dose of kennel cough, not to mention having quite a few injury issues.

To put this politely as possible, bullshit. They certainly didn't say anything about having either injuries or illness in the leadup to the game, and they didn't look sluggish when they were winning through most of the first quarter.

They were slaughtered pure and simple. No excuses. The fact that our match committee and coach made some horrendous selection mistakes in the weeks following doesn't alter that.

 

[vinum coupe]

Nah, the bullies were rooted that game.

 

[AM]

To put this politely as possible, bullshit. They certainly didn't say anything about having either injuries or illness in the leadup to the game, and they didn't look sluggish when they were winning through most of the first quarter.

They were slaughtered pure and simple. No excuses. The fact that our match committee and coach made some horrendous selection mistakes in the weeks following doesn't alter that.

I'm far too refined to say bullshit but you're wrong. It's true the Bullies claimed that the flu that went through their playing group in the weeks leading up to our game didn't impact on the result - and that may be so - but that doesn't alter the fact that it went through their club in August 2010.

The kennel cough that hampered the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago was not the reason for their lacklustre performance against Geelong, according to Rodney Eade

In addition, Adam Cooney, Ben Hudson, Jarrad Grant, Jarrod Harbrow and Mitch Hahn were not playing against us


http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/tabid/4112/default.aspx?newsid=100675

Nah, the bullies were rooted that game.

I worry when you agree with me. Cut it out will ya!

 

[Go Hoops]

Yeah. You're right AM. There was alot of publicity at the time about the flu going through the WB playing group. They also had a depleted team that night. It's not often we cane them.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I'm far too refined to say bullshit but you're wrong. It's true the Bullies claimed that the flu that went through their playing group in the weeks leading up to our game didn't impact on the result - and that may be so - but that doesn't alter the fact that it went through their club in August 2010.


In addition, Adam Cooney, Ben Hudson, Jarrad Grant, Jarrod Harbrow and Mitch Hahn were not playing against us


http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/tabid/4112/default.aspx?newsid=100675

True, but it doesn't nullify the value of playing a quick side, had they been fit we still would have beaten them and it would have been one of the reasons why.

It's also not a coincidence that that night we piled on the goals because we had some quick runners and moved the ball more direct with less of the lateral handball.

Unfortunately the MC didn't stick with it for the finals.

 

[Beth]

I fall into the camp of wanting us to go with young'uns this year. I think tinkering will only get us to another prelim which is a completely pointless waste of time. I'd be happy to fall away a bit and get a year into the kids and wouldn't mind seeing Dasher being an onfield mentor both in the firsts and moreso in the seconds this year. I love the guy but he isn't going to be in our next premiership side.

 

[Go Hoops]

Agree completely about the pace side of it. I think overwhelmingly here we think we need to quicken up. I should have referred to that in my post. I was just following the string that pointed out Partridge was wide of the mark. It's never a good idea to throw in aggro posts without checking your facts.

Great win that night. The flu might have been a factor in addition to the depleted list but didn't account for over 100 points diff.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I fall into the camp of wanting us to go with young'uns this year. I think tinkering will only get us to another prelim which is a completely pointless waste of time. I'd be happy to fall away a bit and get a year into the kids and wouldn't mind seeing Dasher being an onfield mentor both in the firsts and moreso in the seconds this year. I love the guy but he isn't going to be in our next premiership side.

Scott should offer Dasher the captaincy of the VFL team.

It would be a good way to recognise him in his final year, and it would actually be really of benefit to our younger players who could get mentored by him.

 

[Vdubs]

Scott should offer Dasher the captaincy of the VFL team.

It would be a good way to recognise him in his final year, and it would actually be really of benefit to our younger players who could get mentored by him.

I hear Dasher loves sleeping in these days. 2's games might be tough.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I hear Dasher loves sleeping in these days. 2's games might be tough.

Buy him an alarm clock then

Seriously, I reckon Dasher would make a great 2's captain. Not that TSelwood won't do a good job because I'm sure he will, but I would have loved to see Dasher do it for a year. Pity he didn't want to go down that route.

 

[Partridge]

Scott should offer Dasher the captaincy of the VFL team.

It would be a good way to recognise him in his final year, and it would actually be really of benefit to our younger players who could get mentored by him.

He wouldn't take it. He's not Tim McGrath. My guess would be Milburn still wants a senior spot and isn't going to walk away from one voluntarily.

 

[David the Cat]

He wouldn't take it. He's not Tim McGrath. My guess would be Milburn still wants a senior spot and isn't going to walk away from one voluntarily.

And neither he should! Had a very good season last year.

Got something to offer I reckon...and maybe not in defence.

 

[Belisarius]

I like the idea we will have a lot more depth this year with some of the younger players making the seniors. Last time we had a Premiership VFL side we won the AFL Premiership.

I think with a few like Blake, Stokes, Drum, Hogan, Simpson, Motlop, Gillies, Duncan and Menzel all pushing for spots in the seniors with T. Selwood leading the VFL side - we could have a very good VFL side that will provide a good platform for AFL side.

 

[David the Cat]

I like the idea we will have a lot more depth this year with some of the younger players making the seniors. Last time we had a Premiership VFL side we won the AFL Premiership.

I think with a few like Blake, Stokes, Drum, Hogan, Simpson, Motlop, Gillies, Duncan and Menzel all pushing for spots in the seniors with T. Selwood leading the VFL side - we could have a very good VFL side that will provide a good platform for AFL side.

Exactly Belisarius....not change for changes sake. Form must be the measure of a player and those you mentioned....if displaying hot form...should be given every chance. Depth is gold.

 

[The rabbi]

Exactly Belisarius....not change for changes sake. Form must be the measure of a player and those you mentioned....if displaying hot form...should be given every chance. Depth is gold.

And all the people said "Amen".

However, if they do not display that form, they should not be given games just because they had a Premiership medal around their neck a few years ago.

I certainly do not want to see selections on the basis of sentimentality.

 

[Beth]

I've got a real good feeling that Chris Scott isn't sentimental.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

I've got a real good feeling that Chris Scott isn't sentimental.

He was around at the Lions to watch their dramatic fall from grace after dropping 2004, and I would think that was part of his pitch to the board to help Geelong avoid the same selection mistakes as Brisbane did with its multitude of premiership players.

 

[vinum coupe]

He was around at the Lions to watch their dramatic fall from grace after dropping 2004, and I would think that was part of his pitch to the board to help Geelong avoid the same selection mistakes as Brisbane did with its multitude of premiership players.

And also what he stated about Freo last year.
In that due to injury they had to play kids, and that it was a good thing.

 

[Turbocat]

He was around at the Lions to watch their dramatic fall from grace after dropping 2004, and I would think that was part of his pitch to the board to help Geelong avoid the same selection mistakes as Brisbane did with its multitude of premiership players.

This is just one of the things he has going for him.

To have played at club that has been thru tough times when the team was the leagues gimme to then become the wrecking ball that they developed into.Then as you noted they then slid down the mountain again. Im certain he would jotted down the mental note about why this was happening.

In that time he the input from names like Robert Walls , John Northey , Roger Merrett and Leigh Matthews. Like them or not , I doubt any of those names could be called soft coaches. This is one thing I feel our guys really will benefit from as most have only been coached by one coach who had been coached by one coach.

Although a player talented enough to be picked at 12 in the draft , he became known a ruthless defensive player who didn't mind dishing up the physical stuff. Although he may be a clever astute person , he was capable of being a borderline thug if the team required it , as the Riewoldt thing proved. A handy thing for coach to have that up his sleeve.

He played in two flags as a Premiership players yet knew what it was like to miss , injury denying him his 3rd. He has endured hardships and overcome them.

Finally , I suspect he would have a very healthy respect for our club. We learnt the lessons form the Lions and became a side modeled in their diamond like hardness. He would relate to a lot of our guys ,eg. that hardness and gamesmanship that Dasher shows and I suspect Dasher who would have played against him would also relate to him. Who knows he may even get more out a guy like Josh Hunt and train up the young guys like THunt and Schroder in his likeness.

On the surface it seems an inspired choice. I can only hope that the reality is the same.

 

[Belisarius]

Well stated and thought out comment TurboCat.

I like your thinking and it makes perfect sense to me.

 

[CamTinley]

Scott should offer Dasher the captaincy of the VFL team.

It would be a good way to recognise him in his final year, and it would actually be really of benefit to our younger players who could get mentored by him.

If he did that you'd lose a great player and probably a coach as well. Captain of the Magoos, what a slap in the face

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

If he did that you'd lose a great player and probably a coach as well. Captain of the Magoos, what a slap in the face

I think it's the sort of thing the player has to put his hand up for and I don't really see any need for it this year, particularly with Troy Selwood as a permanent VFL player. Milburn was good last year and I doubt he would have played more than twenty VFL games out of 280-odd, bit early to be stamping him with the 'twos skipper' tag. I think VFL captaincy would only be on the agenda if he wanted to continue in 2012.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

And all the people said "Amen".

However, if they do not display that form, they should not be given games just because they had a Premiership medal around their neck a few years ago.

I certainly do not want to see selections on the basis of sentimentality.

Agree 100%
Vital we reward good form and not tolerate sub standard performances if we are to progress. Also important that any senior players who play 2's still feel valued - I reckon the Pies did this well and we should take note - park your ego at the door for the good of the Team.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

And all the people said "Amen".

However, if they do not display that form, they should not be given games just because they had a Premiership medal around their neck a few years ago.

I certainly do not want to see selections on the basis of sentimentality.

Agree, and I hope Scott isn't.

Given his experience at Brisbane with falling off the cliff, and what he said back in November about the fact that you can have the best people and systems, but if your young players aren't regularly playing senior football, their development will be hindered, I don't think he'll hesitate to drop Dasher if his form drops away or there's someone banging the door down with great VFL form.

He'll be more ruthless than Thompson would ever have been.